Agricultural machine.



F. C. BLAIR.

AGRICULTURAL MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.24.1914.

1,164,163. Patented Dec. 14, 1915.

6SHEETS-SHEET 1.

FCBLAIR m/ Cowman CULUMDIA PLANOHRAFH c0., WASHINGTON. D. c.

Patented Dec. 14, 1915.

GSHEETS-SHEET 2.

COLUMBIA PMNOURAPH C0.,WASHINDTON, n. c.

wi tuemo F. C. BLAIR.

AGRICULTURAL MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED IAN-24. 1914.

Patented Dec. 14, 1915.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

glwwwtoz FCBL/HH COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH COHWASHINOTON, D. c.

F. C. BLAIR.

AGRICULTURAL MACHINE.

. APPLICATION FILED JAN.24. I914.

Patented Dec. 14, 1915.

6 SHEETSSHEET 4,

gmwmtoz FCBLAIR F. C. BLAIR.

AGRICULTURAL MACHINE.

APPLlCATlON FILED JAN-24. I914- 6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

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F. C. BLAIR.

AGRICULT MACHINE.

APPL

ICATION JAN-24. I914. 1,164.,163. 1 Patented Dec. 14, 1915. 6 SH vwawtomFCBLAIR WW/byway W W- w- J. 1M

TJNE g FRED C. BLAIR, OF KALISPELL, MONTANA.

AGRICULTURAL MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 14-, 1915.

Application filed January 24, 1914. Serial No. 814,209.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRED C. BLAIR, a citizen of the United States,residing at Kalispell, in the county of Flathead and State of Montana,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in AgriculturalMachines, of which the following is a specification, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improve ments in agriculturalmachines, and it is an object of the invention to provide a device ofthis general character of a novel and improved construction whereby thesame is caused to operate with a maximum of efficiency and wherein thestructure is effectively balanced.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a device of thisgeneral character having novel and improved means whereby the variousparts thereof are moto-rdriven whereby the draft team is relieved ofsubstan tially all strain, other than the actual weight of the machine,and what may be created by the resistance offered in properly guidingthe machine.

The invention also consists in the details of construction and in thecombination and arrangement of the several parts of my improvedagricultural machine, whereby certain important advantages are attainedand the device is rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise moreconvenient and advantageous for use, all as will be herein after morefully set forth.

The novel features of the invention will be carefully defined in theappended claim.

In order that my'invention may be the better understood, I will nowproceed to clescribe the same with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein Figure 1 is a view in top plan of an agriculturalmachine constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention;Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the device as illustrated in Fig.1; Fig. 3 is a view in rear elevation of the device as illustrated inthe preceding figures; Fig. 4 is-a substantially central longitudinalvertical sectional view taken through Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is an enlargedsectional view illustrating the mounting of the main drive shaft of themachine, as herein set forth; Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2 butillustrating a further embodiment of my invention; Fig. 7 is an enlargedfragmediate the traction wheels 9 and capable of rocking movementthereupon is the main frame 14 of requisite dimensions and hereindisclosed as including the spaced side sections 15'l5 having theirforward portions disposed on a downward incline, while the rear portionsthereof are disposed in substantially horizontal planes, the inclinedportions of the side members 15 being provided adjacent their upper endswith the bearing members 16, whereby the same may be properly connectedwith the shaft or axle l. Projecting upwardly and forwardly from each ofthe side members 15 of the frame 14: are the substantially arcuatemembers 17 having their forward ends pivo-tally connected, as at 18,intermediately of the rear portion 19 of the tongue beam 20, such tonguebeam being adapted for vertical adjustment, whereby the frame 14: may beraised or lowered as the occasion may require.

The forward end portion of the beam 20 is provided with the verticallydisposed opening through which is adapted to be directed the verticallydisposed post 22 adapted to provide a means whereby the forward portionof the device may be supported, such post having affixed thereto aboveand below the beam 20 the collars 23 whereoy movement of the beam 20longitudinally of such post may be controlled. As herein disclosed, thecollars 23 are capable of adjustment lengthwise of such post 22 wherebythe position of the beam 20 relative to the post may be regulated, asthe necessities of practice may require.

The lower extremity of the post 22 is provided with the yoke 24, theextremities 25 of which are arranged to afford suitable spindles onwhich the front supporting wheels 26 may be mounted.

As disclosed in Figs. 1 to 4, I set forth an embodiment of my inventionwherein draft animals are adapted to be employed and for this purposethe forward end of the tongue beam 20 is adapted to have suitablycoupled thereto, as at 28, any desired form of draft rigging 29.

In order that the frame 14 may be raised or lowered, as desired, Ipivotally connect with the rear extremities of the beam the link 33which is also in pivotal engagement with the lever 34 disposed above thebeam 20 and in substantial parallelism therewith, the forward extremityof such lever being pivotally secured, as at 35, to the collar 36loosely supported on the post 22 and maintained against endwise movementthereon through the medium of the collars 37 clamped to such post and toopposite sides of the collar 36 and with which such collar 36 is adaptedto contact, as is believed to be self-evident. The opposite extremity ofthe lever 34 terminates in convenient proximity to the seat 38operatively supported by the frame 14 and provided with. the latch 39adapted to coact with the vertically disposed segmental rack 40supported by the arms 17 whereby it will be readily perceived that aneffective means is afforded whereby the frame 14 may be locked in itsdifferent adjustments.

l/Vhen it should be desired that the machine be propelled by a motor aswill hereinafter be more particularly referred to and as illustrated inFigs. 6 and 7, it is essential that mechanical means be employed wherebythe requisite steering control may be had of the post 22 and, as hereindisclosed, this is accomplished through the medium of the shaft 41having one end portion in swiveled engagement with a collar 42 looselymounted on the upper extremity of such post 22.

'while the rear portion of such shaft is supported by the bearing 43carried by the bracket 44 projecting above and operativoly connectedwith the arms 17, such shaft, closely adjacent to the post 22, being provided with a pinion 44 adapted to mesh with a pinion 45 fixed to thepost 22, whereby it will be readily perceived that upon axial movementbeing imparted to the shaft 41 in either direction the post 22 will becaused to correspondingly rotate, which movement will result in therequisite guiding or steering of the machine. To further support theouter end of the shaft 41 in operative position, I find it advisable toemploy the yoke 46 having its free extremities loosely engaged with thepost 22, as is believed to be clearly disclosed in the accompanyingdrawings. The inner extremity of the shaft 41 also terminates in closeproximity to the seat 38, whereby the operating member 47. hereindisclosed as a conventional steering wheel, may be readily andconveniently grasped by the occupant of the seat.

Operatively connected with the forward or lower end of the frame 1 isthe digging point or plow 48 adapted to penetrate the soil in order tolift the tubers of the plants, the extent or penetration of such diggeror plow 48' being, as is thought to be self-evident in View of theforegoing, under control of the lever 84.

The digger or plow 48 is of such formation that the plants liftedthereby from the soil are caused to be deposited upon the upper stretchof the conveyer 49 operatively supported between the side members 15 ofthe frame, whereby such lifted plants may be suitably conveyed to theelevator 91 in order that the samemay be conveniently deposited within asuitable barge or other vehicle caused to trail or follow the machine inits travel, as is generally done in connection with devices of the samegeneral character as the one in issue. As herein disclosed, the conveyer49 is also adapted to serve as a separator and, as herein illustrated,comprises the spaced endless linked members 50 disposed around thesprocket wheels 51 and 52, positioned respectively at the lower ends ofthe members 15 and at the top of the forward inclination thereof. thesupporting shaft 53 for the sprockets 52 constituting the driving shaftofmy improved agricultural machine, as herein disclosed, and adapted tobe operatively con uccted with a suitable motor 54, to be hereinaftermore particularly referred to.

The corresponding links of each of the members 50 are adapted to be tiedor con-' nected by the rods 56, such rods being in such proximity one tothe other as to effectw ally prevent the tubers from fallingtherebetween. but affording suitable spaces whereby dirt or other matterseparated from the tubers or plants during their transit may readily andconveniently fall to the ground.

The lifted plants, after being discharged from the conveyer at the rearor substantially horizontal portion of the frame, are adapted to beengaged by the rake mechanism 62 adapted to properly engage the vines ortops and separate the same from the.

tubers and, as herein disclosed, the rake mechanism 62 comprises thespaced endless linked members 6363 disposed around the sprockets 64 and65 positioned, respectively, at the forward and rear extremities'of suchhorizontal portion of the frame 14, corresponding links of the membersbeing united by the rake bars 62 which may be of any ordinary orpreferred construction as will best operate to advantage and theconnection of such rods with the respective links may be as desired. Thetubers proper, after leaving the conveyer 49, drop within the hopper 66to be hereinafter more particularly referred to. l r 7 As hereindisclosed, the rake mechanism 62 is caused to properly travel throughthe medium of the sprocket chain 67 'operatively connected with asprocket 68 fixed to the driving shaft 53, hereinbefore referred to, andwhich also passes around the sprocket rake mechanism and in closeproximity" thereto, the requisite rotary movement being imparted, asherein set'forth, to the beater 71 through the medium of the sprocketchain 74: passing around the sprocket 75 fixed to the shaft'53 and alsodirected around the sprocket 76 operatively connected with the shaft 73of the heater 7].. V

Suitably connected with the frame lland positioned therebelow and to oneside thereof is the auxiliary frame or bed 77 of requisite dimensionsand on which is suitably mounted, preferably adjacent the forward endthereof, the motor 5% of any conventional type but preferably aninternal combustion engine, the style of engine herein illustrated beingof the well known Galloway type. As

herein set forth, the crank shaft 7901 the engine is provided with asprocket 80 around which passes a sprocket chain Sl also directed aroundthe sprocket wheel 82 loosely mounted on the shaft but provided with a.clutch face 83 adapted to coact with the sliding clutch member Stkeyedto the shaft 53 in such a manner as to be capable of movement endwisethereof but to rotate therewith, whereby it will be readily per ceivedthat when such sliding clutch member" 84: is caused to engage the clutchface 83 of the sprocket 82. the various movable parts of my improvedmachine will be caused to operate, as is believed tobe self-evident.

iVhile any means may be employed that will operate with facility forimparting the requisite movement to the sliding clutch member 84: uponthe shaft 53, I find it of advantage to use the arrangement herein setforth'and wherein the member 84 is operatively engaged by the clutchlever 85 suitably pivoted intermediate its length, as at 86, and havingan extremity in pivotal engagement with the drag link 87 operativelyconnected with the suitably supported lever 88, whereby a convenient andeffective control of the slide member 84 may be had, it being understoodthat the lever 88 is positioned in such proximity to the seat 38 as tobe in convenient reach .of the occupant.

Projecting upwardly from a side member 15 of the frame ll and adjacentthe tail or rear thereof are the posts 89 of predetermined height, tothe upper extremities of which are adapted to be suitably secured thesupporting or brace rods 90 for the upper portion of the elevator 91,which elevator is adapted to convey the tubers deposited within thehopper 66 to a barge or other suitable vehicle traveling with ortrailing my iml )10;'tl machine and in order that the possibility ofinjury, resulting from such barge or other vehicle contacting with avehicle, may be reduced to a minimum. I prefer to have the rods 90capable of endwise movement through the posts 89, the upper or freereinities of such rods 90 being provided 1th suitable abutments andbetween such abutments 92 and the adjacent faces of the posts 89 are thetension springs 93 operati g in a manner which is believed to besolitevident.

is herein disclosed, the lower face of the hopper 66 is open and theendless carrier 94; comprised in the elevator mechanism 91 is adapted topi s tliera neath in or to properly receive the tubers delivered withinthe hopper.

i As herein embodied, the ctmveyer 9% comprised in the elevatormechanism includes the spaced linked members 9(S96 passing around thesprocket wheels 9? operatively supported by the lower portion of thehopper (36 and the sprockets 98 suitably mounted in the side members 0:the elevatorniechanism. The corresg ionding links each of the members 96are kid or connected by the cross rods 100 substantia ly the iden ticalconstruction as the links liereinbefore referred to, except at spacedintervals, such as every eighth link. whereupon the linklOl has itsoutermost bar provided with the laterally directed flat extension 102affording a convenient means whereby engagement may be had. with anextremity of the bucket bar 103, herein shown as substantially L-shapedin cross section.

While any means may be employed for imparting the requisite movement tothe carrier 9%, included in'the eleva or mechanism 91, I prefer toemploy the arrangement d closed in the accompanying drawings, whereinthe shaft 105, on which the uppermost sprockets 98 are mounted, hasaflixed to a proje ted end portion thereof a sprocket 106 oper tivelvengiw 'd with a chain 1:)?

sprocket 19%) fixed age also directed arounl a upon a shaft 110, hereinshown as rotatably supported, as at 11 by the main frame 112 of theelevator mec anism 91.. The opposite extremity of the shaft 110 isprovided with a beveled pinion 1.1-ioperativelv connected with acorrespondingly beveled pinion 11.5 fixed on the shaft 116 rotatablysupported by the main frame 112 and a post 89, the innermost extremityof such shaft having fixer thereto a sprocket 117 operatively engaged bythe chain 118 passing around a sprocket 119, suitably fixed to the shaftheroinbefore referred to. In order to maintain the proper tension uponthe chain 107, I employ the suitable tensioning or tightening meansherein disclosed as rotatably supported rollpivotally connected, as at121, to the shear-L levers 122 assembled and operating in a manner whichis behcved to be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art to whichmy present invention appertains.

In order to protect or guard the upper portion ofthe elevatormechanism,or more particularly the conveyer included therein, I find it ofadvantage to have the s de members 108 of the conveyer 54, comprised inthe elevator mechanism 91, curved downwardly and rearwardly at theuppermost end a suitable distance so as to form the guide 123, suchguide serving to prevent the conveyer chains 96 from coming into contactwith the wagon box or barge following or trailing my improved machine. Ialso find it of advantage to have the lower stretch of the conveyor 49,or more particularly the linked members 50 included therein, directedover the sprockets 12 1 whereby such cons veyer is prevented fromsagging, as would otherwise tend to impair the efiiciency of the machineand I suitably mount in the side members 15, idler sprockets 12 1 overwhich the linked members 50 are adapted to travel which is believed tobe self-evident.

When'it is desired to propel my improved machine from the motor 54:,hereinbefore referred to, and as is particularly illustrated in Fig. 7,I suitably fix on the shaft 53 a gear wheel 125 adapted to mesh with thegear126 produced on a face of the sprocket wheel 127 rotatably mountedon the sliding bearing block 128, whereby such gears 125 and 126 may bebrought into or out of mesh as the occasion requires and, as herein.disclosed, the bearing block 128 is capable of reciprocal movement inthe guide-way 129, while the forward extremity of the block 128 isoperativelyconnected, as at 95, with the lower extremity of the lever130, such lever vhaving its upper extremity terminating in closeproximity tothe seat 38 whereby such block may be readily andconveniently adjusted by the occupant; provided with a latch 131 adaptedto coact with the rack 132 whereby such lever may be locked in itsvarious adjustments, whereby it is assured that the gears 125 and 126are naintained either in or out of mesh as the occasion requires.

Operatively connected with the sprocket 127 is the chain 133 which isadapted to pass around the sprocket 13 1 operatively connected with oneof the traction wheels 9. It is thought to be self-evident that, shouldthe occasion require that each of the wheels 9 be operatively connectedwith the motor, it

will only be necessary to duplicate the structure just recited.

The lever 130 is 7 While it is believed to be self-evident, it-

may bewell to state that the. sprockets 51, 6-1, 97 and 12 i,hereinbefore referred to, are mounted on stub shafts in a manner alsosubstantially similar to that which has been described with reference-tothe wheels. 9. This is done in order that-resultant friction maybereduced to a minimum. I also find it of particular advantageto providean antifriction mounting for the 7 several shafts,

is believed that an illustration and description of the mounting of theshaft 53 in one of the side frames 15 is sufficient astheremainingmountings are substantially identical. As is particularly shownin Fig. '5, it

, 1i 5 comprised in my mproved machine, but 1t is to be. observed thatthat portion of the shaft which is directed through oneof the sideboards 15 is surrounded byra sleeve. 1 10 provided with an annularflange 14:1 midway its length which is adapted to be connected asdisclosed by 1 12. with the side board or frame 15. Operativelypositioned within the sleeve are the roller bearings 14:3 which I areadapted to contact with the shaft 53 and thus serve to reduce to aminimum any resultant friction. I also find it of advan-- tage to employin connection with the sleeve 1&0 suitable meanswhereby the shaft-53 maybe maintained against endwise movement and, as herein disclosed, Iaccomplish this result through the medium of the clamping members 148,of conventional form, adapted to straddle the annular flanges 14:9produced adjacent the opposite extremities of the sleeve 140', theconstruction of the clamping membersl lS being such as to be readilyapplied to or removed from the shaft 53. I

also find it of advantage to provide ,the'

sleeve 140 at opposite sides of the board or frame 15 with thelubricating cups 150 in suitable communication with the interior of thesleeve 140, for purposes which are believed to be self-evident.

From the foregoing description, it is thought to be obvious that anagricultural machine constructed in accordance with my out materialdeparture from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason Ido not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precisearrangement and formation of the several parts hereinshown in carryingout my invention in practice. V

Having thus fully described my invention what I desire to claim andsecure by Letters Patent, is:

A device of the character'described ineluding a main frame comprisingspaced side sections hav ng their forward portions disposed on adownward incline while the:

rear portions thereof are disposed substantially horizontally,a wheeledsupport for such frame positioned below the forward inclined portionthereof, a plurality ofconveyers operatively mounted upon the frame, adriving shaft, operable connections between the driving shaft and theconveyers, an auxiliary frame depending from a side member of the firstmentioned frame and positioned to one side of the' 'first mentionedframe, saidrauxiliary frame extending in beyond the adjacent supportingwheel, a

source of power carried by the auxiliary frame in advance of thesupporting axle and beyond the adjacent supporting wheel, and acontrollable connection between the source of power and the drivingshaft, one of the conveyers extending laterally of the device and in-adirection away from the auxiliary frame and on an upward incline.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in the presence oftwo witnesses.

FRED o. BLAIR.

Witne sses F. B. REINKING, B. H. REINKING.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents: Washington, D. C.

